Beth Smith, a dairy farmer from Tatong, spoke at our July meeting.  Beth explained some of the difficulties dairy farmers are currently facing with low milk prices and dairy companies demanding they pay back money they have been paid.  Many dairy farmers have already spent that money doing improvements to their farms and will now be forced to borrow to pay this money back to Fonterra.  Despite the difficulties Beth seemed positive about life as a dairy farmer.

Lorraine and Beth at Meet and Mingle
 
Neville Gibb will be guest speaker at the next Meet and Mingle on the 17th August.    His topic will be London – 1000 villages. ​

Carole and Godfrey Marple gave a fascinating presentation on their collection of flags at June’s Meet and Mingle.  Godfrey explained how he and Carole came to be collectors of flags and described the ways in which they involve the community in celebrating the flags of different nations. 
 
Godfrey and Dorothy then held up a selection of flags from Canada, Australia and New Zealand while Carole provided information about their history and cultural relevance. 
 
Flags certainly provide a thought provoking lens through which to consider the history and culture of nations throughout the world.  
 
The next Meet and Mingle is scheduled for 20th July at 10 am in W4. Beth Smith and her daughter Kate, dairy farmers from Tatong, will share their perspective on the current situation in the dairy industry and discuss its effects on their livelihood.
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